Human Resources Business Partner

Royal College of Art; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Royal College of Art is seeking an experienced People Partner to join our People & Culture team, working in partnership with senior leaders to deliver strategic HR and shape a positive, high‑performing culture.

You will lead workforce planning, support organisational design and transformation, and use workforce data to inform decision‑making. CIPD Level 7 or equivalent experience is essential, with a background in higher education advantageous.

Qualifications

• Experience in HR business partnering, organisational development or strategic HR
• Strong workforce planning and organisational design capabilities
• Ability to use workforce data and analytics to inform decisions
• Stakeholder management at senior levels and coaching leaders through change

Responsibilities

• Lead workforce planning and organisational design/transformation initiatives
• Provide strategic people advice to senior leaders across Schools and Directorates
• Coach and develop managers to strengthen leadership capability
• Drive employee engagement initiatives and embed RCA values
• Use workforce analytics to inform decision‑making and workforce planning

Skills

HR business partnering

Organisational development

Workforce planning

Stakeholder management

Coaching leaders

Education

CIPD Level 7 or equivalent

Tools

HR analytics tools

Job description

The Royal College of Art is looking for an experienced and forward-thinking People Partner to join our People & Culture team and play a key role in supporting the delivery of the College’s strategic objectives.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced HR professional to work in partnership with senior leaders across our Schools and Directorates, providing strategic people advice and helping shape a positive, inclusive and high‑performing workplace culture.

As a trusted adviser to Deans, Directors and senior managers, you will lead workforce planning, support organisational design and transformation, and use workforce data and insights to inform decision‑making. You will play an important role in helping the College anticipate future workforce needs, build leadership capability and develop effective people solutions aligned with our institutional priorities.

You will also support organisational change and consultation processes, facilitate talent and succession planning, coach and develop managers, and contribute to initiatives that strengthen employee engagement and embed the RCA’s values into everyday practice. Working collaboratively across People & Culture, you will help deliver a proactive, joined‑up approach to supporting our people and the wider organisation.

We are looking for someone with substantial experience in HR business partnering, organisational development or a strategic HR role, with demonstrable expertise in workforce planning, organisational design, organisational change and the use of workforce analytics. You will have excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, the ability to build trusted relationships at all levels, and experience of coaching and supporting leaders through complex people challenges.

CIPD Level 7 qualification or equivalent experience is essential, alongside knowledge of change management methodologies and upcoming UK employment law changes under the Employment Rights Act. Experience in higher education, workforce budgeting, facilitation, mediation or coaching would be advantageous.

Please apply by 11.59pm on 10 November 2026